The Lionesses will face the tournament’s hosts in Vancouver on Saturday after goals from captain marvel Steph Houghton and flying full-back Bronze saw England come from behind to beat Norway.

England trailed in the 54th minute after Solveig Gulbrandsen’s headed opener for Norway from a corner to the near post only for the two former Sunderland players to step up to the plate.

South Hetton girl Houghton headed England level within seven minutes with a great goal past the Norway skipper.

And Pride of Northumberland Bronze stunned Norway with a 20-yard bullet 15 minutes from time for the winner after some neat build-up passes.

To complete the North-East connection to the England win, coach Mark Sampson sent on Jill Scott with the ex-Sunderland midfielder giving a virtuoso display as the Lionesses ran down the clock to perfection.